Features

Car thieves made away with 10 vehicles over five days last week. The thefts occurred across Berkeley, from the UC Berkeley campus to San Pablo Avenue. On Oct. 16, a Green 2001 BMW was taken from the 1700 block of San Pablo Avenue. A 2003 Honda Hybrid was stolen from the 1600 block of Tyler Street. The owner, a 61-year-old woman, said she may have left the keys in the door.

A 1998 purple Acura Integra was stolen from the 3300 block of Claremont on the afternoon of Oct. 18.

Last weekend, three cars were stolen on Saturday, and four were stolen on Sunday. The thefts largely occurred during the afternoon, save for a Gold Toyota Yaris Coa that was stolen from the ACME Bread parking lot around 9:50 p.m. on Sunday.

BPD Spokesperson Andrew Frankel said last week’s thefts were not out of the ordinary, saying that auto theft occurs at a “consistent” rate in Berkeley. None of the vehicles has been recovered to date.

“We actually have a pretty good recovery rate,” said Officer Frankel.

Prostitution sting

Berkeley police carried out an extensive prostitution sting in West Berkeley on Oct. 16 in the evening, arresting six women within three hours.

The operation, unofficially called a “B” sting after the section of the state Penal Code citing prostitution (647AB), was carried out in response to repeated complaints by residents.

Officers posing as “johns” made contact with six women, and arrested them after the subject of sex for cash was brought up.

Each situation is different and requires a specific approach to warrant an arrest, said Officer Frankel. “Sometimes it requires more finesse, sometimes you can be more blunt.”

Concealed weapon

A 17-year-old Oakland boy was arrested for possession of a concealed weapon outside a College Avenue party early Sunday morning. Around 12:50 a.m. officers arrived on the 2300 block of College Avenue to deal with an argument outside the party.

Both individuals involved were detained. A .380 semiautomatic handgun of unspecified make was found on the 17-year-old male. He was charged with possession of an unregistered firearm, carrying a concealed weapon and a probation violation. The 17-year-old was remanded to Juvenile Hall.

Drive-by robberies

Berkeley Police may have put an end to a series of armed drive-by robberies committed in a Silver Mitsubishi Lancer. Davon Vigay, 18, of Pinole, was arrested around 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 15, after he was stopped by BPD patrol officers at Virginia and Arch streets.

The Lancer was called in as a suspicious vehicle by a neighborhood resident, who had received a community crime alert issued in North Berkeley by the Department’s Community Services Bureau.

“Without the collaborative efforts of our officers, detectives, and participatory members of the community this felon might still be at large,” said Frankel in a statement.

Vigay is believed to be involved in at least 10 pedestrian robberies in September, according to BPD Spokesman Andrew Frankel. Money, credit cards, electronics, jewelry, and other items were taken during the incidents.

Vigay, who was arrested with a loaded firearm, was booked into Berkeley City Jail on three charges of robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle and possession of an unregistered firearm.

Investigators believe he is one of a number of individuals involved in the robbery spree.